US, China can expect ‘frank’ discussion, including South China Sea and human rights: ambassador Terry Branstad
- Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary James Mattis will host China Politburo member Yang Jiechi and Defence Minister Wei Fenghe on Friday
- Diplomatic and security focus, but trade war likely to feature too ahead of planned meeting of presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping at G20
A “frank” exchange of views can be expected in top-level diplomatic and security talks between the United States and China on Friday, including on issues such as human rights and the South China Sea, the US ambassador to China said.
Terry Branstad told reporters at the State Department on Thursday that the US would seek progress on priority issues, including North Korea, and that there would also be discussions on strategic security and how “to avoid mistakes or accidents that can happen in the military arena”.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary James Mattis will take part in the talks in Washington, with Chinese Politburo member Yang Jiechi and Defence Minister Wei Fenghe. They were supposed to have been held in Beijing in October but were delayed amid rising tensions over trade, Taiwan and the South China Sea.
While the focus will be on diplomacy and security, moves to try to resolve a damaging trade war between the two countries are expected to be touched upon ahead of a planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Argentina at the end of November.
US, China set for high-level talks to avert South China Sea clashes
“We want this to be a constructive, results-oriented relationship with China,” Branstad said. “The US is not trying to contain China but we want fairness and reciprocity.”